The Sam Sharpe Teachers College is not only one of the top teacher training institutions in Jamaica, it is right there amoung the top colleges in Jamaica too - teacher or not!

Now although I did not attend the institution, I have a personal connection to it. My youngest sister is a proud graduate (and is doing very well) of this esteemed institution and it is also a part of our small community.

"Sam Sharpe Teachers' College is a special institution, because it holds the name of National Hero, the Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe, who embodied the spirit of freedom.

One of the main attributes of education is to free the mind and to free up
humankind, therefore Sam Sharpe embodied that," Dr. Pinnock told JIS News in an interview.

The school has truly come a far way since it's inception in 1975 by the Government of Jamaica through the World Bank II
programme.

With now 51 members of staff, it continues to provide a dynamic programme of activities to help trainee teachers actualize their true potential and make their contribution to Jamaica's nation building.

Since its inception, the college has graduated over 6,000 trained professionals (Sharpies), who are currently making their
mark on Jamaica's (and the world) development. Special note must be made of it's longest serving steward, Ms Cecil Walden.

Dr. Walden has honoured for over 40 years of dedicated service to the college and the general teaching profession in Jamaica.

The main programme on offer at the school was the Diploma in Teaching, which was three years in duration full-time and four
years and two summers part-time, but according to a JIS report the College was expected to commence the four-year full-time degree programme this month (September 2010) with the Diploma being phased out.

There are also courses in Primary, Early Childhood and Special Education, Guidance and Counselling, Music, English Language
and Literature. Additionally, they also offers Post Graduate Diploma /Advance Placement & Switching/Upgrading Programme.

There is also good news for sports-loving students who want to fulfill their dream of a degree in Physical Education, as
discussions are underway with G.C. Foster College on this possibility.

The school currently boast a state of the art computer lab, which is considered to be probably the first of its kind in
Jamaica and the Caribbean! They also have a dynamic marching band that one of the best in the island.

Sam Sharpe Teachers' College is currently the only teacher training institution in western Jamaica. It is located in Granville, St. James.

For more information, including application inquiries and course details, contact the school at:

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